River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-08-04
JAlIES'S WIFE.

ia VI ES'S w Ii l..
One sultry summer day l sat with my
mosher's friend, Mrs Benton. upon the
piazza AZ her country home. I had
been a frequent guest at the old farm
house since ny childhood. and the echo
of voices seemed 10 linger in the large
rooms thad had once r.s5unded with
our merry shouts. The familiar sur
ruuudiugs Of tie Old fashioned home
seemed 70 make impossible the wears
that had passed. The quaint furnish
iu@- of the house remain ed unchanged:
the flowers that bCrtlereI the walk held
their place; bachelors buttons. mari
Colds, sweet william, and tiger lilies,
a IN years before. doomed to the
apparent satisfaction i lie inmates Of
the old home. \ large family had been
reared under the roof-trce. but one by
one the children had forsaken the home
nest until but one son remained there.
The father amt mother though long
past the prime # life retained much of
the energy and strength Of earlier years
and the routine Of labor within and
without revolved in channels made
smooth by the gentle friction of half
century. The marriage Of James. the
son Of their later wears. disturbed the
current Of their life / knew that the
Young wife had been reluctantly re-
ceived into the family
As the daughter sat by my side that
afternoon. I watched the busy fingers.
and tried To read i'm the quiet face the
chances for harmony and happiness
Had she counted the cost Could She
in her youth and mcXpcrience. under
stand the difficulties of her positions
The habits Of a lifetime would not
easily change; she must conform to
the rigid customs of the family. and
learn to tread with even pace the well
worn path.
Would she DO this, or had she come
to sow discord between mother and son;
to di-,Iuiet the declining years Of the
aged parents | could not read the
face that bent ~ointently over the work,
but my questions were not long un-
answered The oppressive heat was
moderated presently by a rising breeze.
had scarcely noticed the
change in temperature when the
Young wife hastily entered the
house. Returning presently with a
light wrap. She folded it carefully
II
you viii take cold. mother.
Mrs Benton thanks were scarcely
spoken before the daughter again en-
tered the house, giving opportunity for
the expression Of the content and APP
proval had already read in the care
worn face.
That's just the way Jenny takes
care 81 me. 10 YOU know how pleasant
IL Is to be taken care OF?
i have known, | replied.
Yes. aS~entcd Mrs Benton. Il
suppose yuur mother took care of YOU
Just Is I've always taken care Of my
girls I'm afraid don't bring EN- up
right they amt bit like Jenny. She's
always thinking about other folks: do
believe the child forgets Jenny Benton
Father and / dreaded her coming. and
if it hadn't been for James. we shouldn't
have consented I've seen how sons
wives upset things; You knew we had
AbHer'S wife here a spell; | braced
myself up.evpectiug all SORTS Of trials;
bat Jenny i 30 different from the rest
of EN-. Nothing was good enough for
Abuer wife when She was here. She
took best room IN the house. and
kept all her things in il. and Abner,
too. - much n she could. Now Jenny
wants Is To enjoy everything with her.
Did you notice that pretty lamp in the
sitting roum2 That Jeuny'S, and it
almost seems rs if it has brought back
my sight: old folks are slow to buy
new things. and father and ] didn't
know about this new burner. Abner's
wife would have kept it in her room,
and let our ewes Wear out with our old
lamps And the pictures lid YOU notice
theme They re Jcnny's She asked to
hang them there because she didn't
want her room crowded. She wants
Ia share all ls,r sunshine, else it isn't
half sunshine 10 her.
Jenny did not return. and Mrs. Ben
ton soon entered the house
Mother. | heard her say, ''let me
get tea. just show me the table linen
YOU wish % use. and ! think ! can ar
range everything a YOU wish to have
II.
natter a little consultation Mrs. Ben
ton returned.
did YOU hear that2" She asked
JENNY isn't satisfied just tohelp io the
easy work: she wants 10 carry the bur
dcn- I've never trusted my own girls
To 10 what JeuuvdoeS, and she brought
M with different WAYS too. I'm afraid
l didn't bring up my girls right. re
peated Mrs. Benton, with sigh They
ain't bit like Jenny"
Not 20 hclpful2' asked.
Not - helpful and not 81 thought
full. She replied. I've carried their
burdens until they expect me 10 carry
them. and when I get too old 10 ear
~ any more. / shall be a burden they
won't know how to bear because I've
never taught EN-. Its pleasant 10 be
taken care Of. repeated Mrs. Benton.
A few years later again visited ny
morher'S friend. The intirmities Of ..ge
had compelled her To lay aside many Of
her cares. but she scarcely realized the
surrender. 20 cheerfIlly had they been
assumed by her son wife.
Jenny takes pride in keeping every
thing Just a I've kept It; 80 pleasant
10 Sit ana look on she said.
And be taken care of. I added
Yes. it, pleasant 10 be taken care
of. She repeated. looking fondly upon
her son : wife. And when we were alone
She told me Of Jenny'S loving care, re-
posting the words remember 80 we'll;
s.Jenny's different from the rest Of
EN-. I'm afraid didn't bring up my
girls right"
Tho Tnsar.ar,- rr.,se~,,. oil